India, China work hotlines to cool off LAC

New Delhi and Beijing were working the diplomatic hotlines to dial down the tensions after the first incident of firing along the Line of Actual Control in 45 years. The Indian Express has reported that diplomats in Delhi and Beijing were in touch with each other since Monday evening after the first gunshots were fired. Special Representative-level talks are likely to take place in the coming days, report said. The push to scale down tension comes ahead of the proposed meeting in Moscow between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. On Monday, a group of about 30-40 Chinese soldiers came armed with spears, machetes and guns to charge at Indian troops and occupy the heights at Mukpari, a point between Magar Hill and Rezang La. The Chinese soldiers also fired in the air.